Backstory:
So, I've been looking at the big honkin' (and expensive) 4-16 Nikon Monarch Mil-Dot that sits on my CZ Silhouette, and thinking I'd like to get something a little smaller and more compact these days (and little less expensive would be nice too -- but I would not want to give up too much in terms of optical quality). Since I wanted to stay in something that still had an adjustable objective and low-profile target turrets, that drastically limited the options, so much so that it looks like the clear winner is the 4-12 Vortex Diamondback with their little BDC reticle thingy (not exactly a mil-dot, but I can still use the dots for hold-over whilst small game hunting, which is all I really wanted mil-dots for anyway).
Now, in the binocular lines, I have compared Vortex Diamondback's and Nikon Monarchs, and found them to be so close to each other in terms of optical quality, that my less than perfect eyes can't really tell the difference (not even in low light). The Wife(tm) and I both pack Diamondback binos while hunting the last 2 years, and have been totally, completely happy with them. So, my initial thoughts would be, that the Diamondback rifle scopes would probably make me pretty happy too (especially for the $$$, compared to what I've got in this Nikon).
Question:
However, despite what I know about the binocular lines (they're awesome!) -- I don't know where on the riflescope scale the Diamondback falls for optical quality. So my question is, to those who might know: about what (approximately) class of scope is the Vortex Diamondback comparable to? Nikon Monarch? Buckmasters? Bushnell 3200? 4200?
And, if you happen to have any personal knowledge of the 4-12AO Diamondback, I'd like to know what you have to say about it.
Thanks,
So, I've been looking at the big honkin' (and expensive) 4-16 Nikon Monarch Mil-Dot that sits on my CZ Silhouette, and thinking I'd like to get something a little smaller and more compact these days (and little less expensive would be nice too -- but I would not want to give up too much in terms of optical quality). Since I wanted to stay in something that still had an adjustable objective and low-profile target turrets, that drastically limited the options, so much so that it looks like the clear winner is the 4-12 Vortex Diamondback with their little BDC reticle thingy (not exactly a mil-dot, but I can still use the dots for hold-over whilst small game hunting, which is all I really wanted mil-dots for anyway).
Now, in the binocular lines, I have compared Vortex Diamondback's and Nikon Monarchs, and found them to be so close to each other in terms of optical quality, that my less than perfect eyes can't really tell the difference (not even in low light). The Wife(tm) and I both pack Diamondback binos while hunting the last 2 years, and have been totally, completely happy with them. So, my initial thoughts would be, that the Diamondback rifle scopes would probably make me pretty happy too (especially for the $$$, compared to what I've got in this Nikon).
Question:
However, despite what I know about the binocular lines (they're awesome!) -- I don't know where on the riflescope scale the Diamondback falls for optical quality. So my question is, to those who might know: about what (approximately) class of scope is the Vortex Diamondback comparable to? Nikon Monarch? Buckmasters? Bushnell 3200? 4200?
And, if you happen to have any personal knowledge of the 4-12AO Diamondback, I'd like to know what you have to say about it.
Thanks,
